The 2024 legislative session in Indianapolis was a great foundation for the substantial tax reform efforts we expect to see in 2025. The Indiana General Assembly was in session from January to early March, and several pieces of legislation concerning small businesses passed through the legislature. A few small business wins this session include:

• Regulatory: HB 1383 was the first bill signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb and strikes a necessary balance of protecting and preserving Indiana’s vital wetlands while supporting economic growth.

• Labor: HB 1093 & SB 146 will allow Indiana businesses to expand job responsibilities and hours for employees ages 18 and under after the passage of these two bills aimed at reforming youth employment laws to align with federal regulations.

• Tort Reform: HB 1090, HB 1160, & SB 226 were three bills to address meaningful tort reform for the first time in decades and protect small businesses from frivolous litigation.

• Government Overreach: SB 234 limits the governor’s emergency powers through the end of their term and requires approval from Indiana’s General Assembly if the governor seeks to extend a statewide emergency declaration beyond 60 days.

Small businesses also had a lot at stake at the ballot box this year: a gubernatorial race, a U.S. Senate race, and various seats in the U.S. Congress and Indiana General Assembly.

Fortunately for Main Street, Indiana voters elected several pro-small business candidates in nearly every election and open seat.

The Indiana General Assembly will return on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025, and NFIB Indiana State Director Natalie Robinson will be in Indianapolis tracking all the issues pertaining to the small business community. Our top priority for the 2025 General Assembly is to prevent tax increases on Hoosier small businesses.

TAKE ACTION: Want to help decide what policy positions NFIB will take next year? Submit your member ballot TODAY and be the Voice of Small Business in Indiana.

To vote, visit www.NFIB.com/VoteMyBallot, log in with your email and password, select “My Ballots and Surveys,” and complete your state ballot today.